The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-04-16
PRINT WORKS BURNED.
Dover is Visited by a $500, 900 Fire.

DOVER. N. H., April 15.-The greatest fire
that Dover has ever experienced occurred
this afternoon in the Cocheco Print Works.
1t will involve loss of 100000 and will
throw 600 operatives out of employment for
probably four to six months. The fire start
ed In the hat room, located back of printing
machine No. IL. In an incredibly short time
the main building of the print works, where
is done all the printing, hanging and drying
was enyeloped in sheet of fame. So rap
idly did the flames spread that several ma
chine printers and helpers were compelled
TO leave their coats and vests with valuable
watches and money behind. 1t was with
them race for life. A report gained circu-
lation about town that several operatives
citement; Fathers, mothers and other rela-
tlves rushed from all directions to learn the
fate Of their children and friends.
There were many thrilling scenes. Nobody
was killed, but narrow escapes from death
were numerous. The roof and all the floors
had fallen into the cellar within thirty min
utes after the alarm had beon given, thus
showing the rapidity with which the fire
spread. The principal danger was to the
third floors. Most Of these escaped by jnmp-
Ing from the windows. Elijah Hayes, aged
66 years, would not jump, and everybody
gave him up for lost, but he managed to
creep to stairway leading from the second
70 tne hrst noor, when he tainted and tum-
bled to the bottom. A fireman luckily saw
MIN, and he was removed insensiblo, with
face and arms badly burned. He will re-
cover. Had there been any wind nothing
could have saved the other buildings con-
necsed with the works. Several times they
The hydrants Of the Cocheco Mills and the
Print Works proved valuable adjuncts in
lighting the flames. In the basement of the
burned building were stored drugs and
them three loud explosions followed in rapid
succession: The bare walls Of the building
are standing yet with the exception of q
portion OF the north wall, which fell after
the flames had been controlled. Five fire.
men were in the building when the roof
crashed into the cellar, but they escaped
with slight bruises. Three steamers and
every available line of hose in the city are
playing on the ruins, and will continue with
out interruption until morning In the old
packing room, which escaped burning, were
stored 10000 pieces Of Cochec3 prints, ready
for shipment, each piece containing 80 yards
Ihey were ruined by water from the sprink-
lerS. This item of loss alone Is $4,000 or
$4,000. There were fourteen printing ma
chimes In the building, which was 250x75 feet
and ~ stories in height. Superintendents
Washington and Eaton tonight place the
loss at upwards of S1S0,000, which is fully
covered by insurance in the Manufacturers'
Mutual. They said that until the return of
Treasurer Stockton they could not say how
soon the work Of rebuilding would begin,
but thought it would be commenced at once
A large part OF the skilled workmen, such
as printers, engravers and sketchers, will
probably spend their enforced vacation in
England and Scotland, where most of them
were born. The first floor Of the building
was devoted TO machine printing, the rest to
hanging, drying and storing. While the fire
will seriously effect the city's business inter-
ests, the citizens are thankful it will not in
terfere with the running of the Cocheco